Attractions

Sheridan Square (Stonewall Riots)

Barrow Street and West 4th Street

New York, NY 10014

+1 212 484 1222 (Tourist Information)

The Stonewall Riots took place at Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in 1969 near the Sheridan Square, which is predominated by the gay crowd. This was the first time that the gays were reacting to the government persecution of homosexuals. Owned by the Mafia, this inn was a haven for youth, gays and others among trans-gender community. The police raid was a very common thing and one such on that particular day led to a backlash reaction of a riot outside the inn. Coins, beer cans, bricks were thrown, cars were overturned, garbage and fires were lit; the entire episode lasted for over 45 minutes. In commemoration of the riots, the Gay parade is held every year.